Question

Differentiate between the Wildlife sanctuary and Biosphere reserve?

Answer 1

Wildlife sanctuary:

1. Sanctuaries are naturally occurring areas that are meant to protect the endangered species from hunting, poaching and predation.
2. Here the animals are not bred for commercial purposes.
3. It provides a safe, healthy and secured refuge to all the wild animals.

Biosphere reserves:

1. Biosphere reserves or natural reserves are multipurpose protected areas that helps to conserve and protect all life forms.
2. Biosphere reserves help ensure the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the region. The purpose of the formation of the biosphere reserve is to conserve all forms of life.
3. Additionally, it revives the local tribes' traditional way of life. They preserve the region's biodiversity.

S.no	Wildlife sanctuary	Biosphere reserve
1.	In wildlife sanctuaries, wild animals are protected in their natural habitats.	Biosphere reserves are the areas that are used to conserve biodiversity.
2.	Tourism is permissible in wildlife sanctuaries.	In these areas, no tourism is permissible.
3.	The boundaries of the wildlife sanctuary are not fixed.	The boundaries of biosphere reserves are defined by legislation.
4.	Human activities such as grazing and collecting firewoods are allowed in the wildlife sanctuaries.	Human activity is not allowed in the core zone of a biosphere reserve.
5.	There are 565 wildlife sanctuaries in India	There are 18 biosphere reserves in India.
6.	Example - Bharatpur bird sanctuary in Rajasthan.	Example - Sundarbans Biosphere reserve in West Bengal.